Chapter 18: Shadow
Under the watchful eyes of the two gatekeeping shinobi, Sakura Haruno stepped onto the staircase leading to the Hokage's office.
"So promising…"
"Looks like our village is about to raise another exceptional ninja."
One of the guards, who had just questioned Sakura, spoke warmly.
The scroll Sakura had shown him bore a high-level code—one that clearly signified elite classification.
For someone so young to be entrusted with such an advanced technique directly from Hiruzen Sarutobi himself—it didn't need further explanation to show how significant that was.
"Hmm? Isn't your kid only a couple of years older than that girl?"
The other guard teased, elbowing his companion with a grin.
The first gatekeeper twitched at the comment, thinking of his own mischievous son. His face darkened with frustration.
"Don't even mention it. That little brat has been driving me crazy lately."
"What did he do this time?"
"He smeared hair removal cream on the Inuzuka clan's ninja dogs."
"Now there are over a dozen bald, furless hounds chasing him down the village every time they see him…"
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Sakura arrived on the second floor of the Hokage building. As she glanced around at the worn, aging decor, she couldn't help but doubt whether this place truly served as the heart of the village.
It looked more like a building on the verge of leaking during the next rainstorm.
The Hokage's office was easy to identify—there was a sign hung clearly on the door.
The door was left slightly ajar. Sakura gave it a polite knock, and it opened on its own.
"Sakura? Come in,"
Came Hiruzen Sarutobi's somewhat aged, yet still firm voice.
Sakura pushed the door open and entered. Sitting at the desk directly across from the door was the elderly man, robed in red and white ceremonial garb with the Hokage's hat perched on his head.
"Hokage-sama,"
Sakura greeted him respectfully and was about to pull out the scroll when Hiruzen rose from his chair, walked toward her, and said with a warm smile:
"No need to be so formal—just call me Grandpa Hokage."
"Okay! Grandpa Hokage!"
Sakura immediately complied without a hint of hesitation.
"Hahaha! So, Sakura, what brings you to see me today?"
Hiruzen laughed heartily, guiding her to sit on a couch beside him.
He had assumed she would come to him just a day or two after receiving the scroll.
But it had been half a month since then.
He found it a bit odd. Could it be that the Monster Strength technique didn't challenge her at all?
Sakura unrolled the scroll Hiruzen had given her and spread it out on the table. She pointed at the final section—one that described an efficient internal method for chakra circulation—and asked a question about it.
Hiruzen was astonished. She skipped all the earlier training steps and was directly questioning the final portion related to chakra control?
Could it be… had she already mastered the Monster Strength technique in just half a month?
He suppressed his surprise and began patiently explaining.
As the "Professor" of ninjutsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi had mastered all five basic chakra natures, both in transformation and application. On the battlefield, his brilliant control of jutsu and his partnership with the Enma clan's Adamantine Staff had earned him the title of Shinobi no Kami—the God of Shinobi.
His understanding of technique was among the elite, even among the strongest in the entire ninja world.
"So you see, Sakura, you're still a bit young. Once your body grows and your chakra pathways become more robust, your internal chakra flow will become even more efficient."
Hiruzen patiently answered her question.
However, he could no longer hold back his curiosity and asked:
"Sakura, are you asking this because you've already learned the Monster Strength technique?"
There was a hint of anticipation in his voice.
If she had truly grasped it within just two weeks, then…
"Yeah."
Sakura nodded with a matter-of-fact expression.
Her emerald eyes scanned the room. She fixated on a plain-looking teacup on the table.
Under Hiruzen's startled gaze, she casually picked up the dark-colored cup with her fingers—and crushed it to pieces.
The Hokage was momentarily speechless.
Monster Strength—Tsunade's original technique—was nearly an S-rank level jutsu in terms of difficulty. Even among A-rank techniques, it was considered top-tier.
And this child had mastered it in just half a month.
He had initially given her the method because her natural strength and chakra control reminded him of Tsunade. He hadn't expected such a rapid and shocking result.
Unfortunately, that teacup… was an antique.
Sakura tilted her head, misreading his silence. She thought perhaps he didn't think breaking a cup was impressive enough.
So she reached for the teapot.
With a crisp crack, the antique teapot shattered in her grip.
"S-Stop! Stop right there!"
Hiruzen called out, heart aching over the loss of his antique set.
But it was already too late.
"Huh? Grandpa Hokage, did I do something wrong?"
Sakura looked up with innocent confusion and began scanning the office for more items to test her strength on.
Her eyes landed on Hiruzen's desk.
"No, no. It's fine! Very good. You've exceeded my expectations."
Hiruzen quickly blocked her gaze, worried she might disassemble his entire office if left unchecked.
Just then, the office door suddenly slammed open.
An old man and an old woman appeared in front of Hiruzen and Sakura.
"Hey, Hiruzen…"
The old man, about the same age as Hiruzen, began speaking but cut himself off when he noticed Sakura.
Seeing these two, Sakura guessed immediately how Hiruzen had known she was coming—these people clearly didn't bother knocking.
"Grandpa Hokage, if you're busy, I'll take my leave."
Sakura spoke up, seeing that the newcomers were none other than Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado—two elders of the village who might look like they had one foot in the grave, but were still sharp and active behind the scenes.
"Wait a moment, Sakura. I have something else for you."
Hiruzen ignored his two old comrades and walked to his desk, rummaging through it until he pulled out another scroll.
He handed it to Sakura with a smile.
"Take this. Once you've mastered it, come back to me."
"Thank you, Grandpa Hokage!"
Sakura's eyes lit up at the sight of another scroll. She hugged it tightly and quickly vanished from the office.
Watching the pink-haired girl disappear, Homura couldn't help but glance at Hiruzen with a curious expression.
"Hiruzen… who was that child?"
He had been observing Sakura ever since she walked in. It was rare to see Hiruzen show such patience and fondness toward someone.
"She's the future of Konoha,"
Hiruzen replied, his voice tinged with emotion as he gazed out the window at the departing girl.
"Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"
Koharu frowned slightly.
"No, it's not,"
Hiruzen said firmly.
"In that child, I see the shadows of Tsunade… and Minato."
(End of Chapter)
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